Sanjeev Kulkarni: From One Matador to Multi Crores...

Sanjeev Kulkarni who owns the Tekfarm Retreat and Marriage Hall, a popular day trip tourist and marriage destination on the Dharwad-Hubballi bypass near Kalghatgi/Nuggikeri toll plaza boasts an interesting background all along. A very simple, down-to-earth rustic personality rejoices taking a flashback at his humble background and transformation for big accomplishments in an unimaginable manner.

Joined B Sc after PUC: Unlike his other classmates, most of whom went on to pursue Engineering and Medical courses for coming in flying colours at the +2 level Sanjeev Kulkarni opted for B Sc after PUC for scoring less aggregate. He recollects-"Our classmate Narayan Sabhahit joined Engineering while Edwin D'souza took B Sc and were doing well in their careers. While I was still doing my B Sc, our father got retired. One of our friends Patravali, had a Matador vehicle and it was at this stage I wondered why not run it as a taxi and became a driver. Meanwhile, as our father had retired by then we bought a Matador vehicle with his pensionary benefits to run it as a taxi'.

All around the country in the taxi: "Thanks to our Matador taxi, I have travelled all over the country in the rental services business. By then Edwin D'souza had become a Range Forest Officer (RFO) after completing the B Sc degree. Then, having done a B Sc degree thought of giving it a try to join the Forest Department. I also appeared for the RFO examinations but to my bad luck clearing the examinations in Kannada had become mandatory while I didn't know Kannada properly

To Maharashtra with the same dream: "Learning about my predicament, my sister suggested me to come over to the then Bombay to pursue my dream. I wrote the examinations and also was through with the same. However, once the examinations were over they asked for a domicile certificate to process the candidature. Unfortunately, I couldn't produce one for not having lived there. Then I felt that the Matador vehicle itself was my lifeline and returned to Dharwad".

Into UPS business: "While I was back into the Matador taxi business, it turned out to be a boom time for the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) pieces of equipment. Sabhahit had also ventured into manufacturing the UPS units in Bengaluru. He also suggested I take up the dealership of his company products for Dharwad. Likewise, I went to Bengaluru to understand the UPS systems and became a dealer for Dharwad. To start with it was limping as there wasn't much business to do, so simultaneously I was also into the Matador taxi business for almost a year. Slowly, the UPS business started picking up and it started so well that there was no need for me to look back".

Beginning of a big business: "As there were no other major players in it the UPS business became a big hit. Whoever owned a computer was a big man then. Then we were selling a UPS at almost double the cost of manufacturing and whoever bought a computer and a UPS system were considered to be filthy rich. It was also the beginning of the boom in the software industry and a tremendous scope for the computer and UPS types of equipment. Thanks to the thriving business I bought a house and shifted from the rented house".

From dealership to manufacturing batteries: "Then onwards I slowly started manufacturing UPS batteries. Initially, we were producing the batteries at home and as there was a need for a bigger space we bought about five acres of land in Yerikoppa village near Dharwad. Again our own Sabhahit was the partner and I started manufacturing truckloads of batteries. I had registered the unit with the Karnataka Small Scale Industries body and then demanded advance for the supply of the batteries, and that too to the government departments. Along with one more person, there were only two players in the industry. This business went on doing very well and soon the government departments started buying big UPS systems, which were called online UPS systems. Here. again the profit margin was a huge sum, the product was genuine while we were also giving good service".

Purchase of office: "So, thanks to the roaring business I purchased an office at Maruthi complex and battery shop downwards. The Yerikoppa manufacturing unit was doing tremendous business. It was located on a hillock with picturesque surroundings and had a steep approach. Once, a truck with a full load of batteries overturned on the way back. I started thinking of buying some other land to avoid similar accidents in the future and it was then I came across the present property now housing the Tekfarm Retreat and Marriage Hall".

Building up of a complex: "Funds turned out to be like literally flowing...At this juncture, joined the Rotary Club where I met some Engineering friends. A couple of them suggested launching a complex on a partnership model for which I readily agreed. This way with Mardikar and Ganesh Bhat we came up with the Dharwad Plaza on Tikare Road. Having got a big offer, I disposed of it and bought a big chunk of land near Kalkeri village".

From Six Buffaloes to 360! Meanwhile, there were six buffaloes in the Tekfarm land where I had also started manufacturing batteries. The number of six buffaloes had gone up to 25. Someone mooted the idea that it is easy to get good workers from Gujarat, Mumbai and Ahmednagar why not increase their strength? I went and returned with the Bhaiyya workers and increased the strength of the Gujarati buffaloes to 360, which is a record by itself. Not just Gujarati variety buffaloes, all UP Bhaiyya workers were first introduced in Karnataka by me only. It so turned out that all those who visited the Krishi Mela of UAS Dharwad started visiting my farm also. It was a tough time managing the curious onlookers. To avoid the less serious crowd, the subsequent year started charging Rs 10 per person as entry fees. Even then the crowd instead of dwindling went on rising".

Fodder crisis engulfs the business: "Rearing of the Gujarati variety of buffaloes was hitherto unheard of in the state. So many people were interested in knowing the same. Then people suggested selling some of them which idea I heeded, and started selling and buying simultaneously. Then Milk rates were very good and the fodder prices less and likewise the cost of inputs. I used to supply milk to Mishra Pedha and it was a viable proposition. However, from 2008 and 2009 onwards started experiencing a peculiar problem of fodder shortage. I had to run up to Bijapur to buy fodder and it started becoming too difficult to manage the adverse situation. I decided to give up. By God's grace, one person decided to buy all the buffaloes. By the time I sold, the number of buffaloes was more than 400. To start with I had only bought 150 which increased to 360 over some time and by the time I sold it was 415 or something. Thanks to the buyer, I got good money".

What to do with the shed? "The entire lot of buffaloes were sold but the shed remained idle. So what to do with the vast shed? Rented it to Pepsicola company and they also vacated after one year. I was perplexed without knowing what to do and in the meantime, even the UPS business was gradually going down as there were multiple players in the market. While the manufacturing cost was steadily increased the profit margin was discouraging. The changed scenario became a buyer's market as any number of brands including local ones were easily available at a competitive cost while there was tough competition in marketing and profit margin dipping further".

A marriage hall to start with: "So thought of alternative modes of revenue generation and to begin with transformed the shed into a marriage hall. People started visiting the farm and even after the marriages were over. So I constructed a swimming pool and some sports activities as a destination for a day picnic. We charge Rs 600 per person for which they will be provided with breakfast, lunch and snacks. They come in the morning enjoy the fun-filled day and return home happily. This is how my journey and adventure has started".

Reaping the benefits of a hard-earned way: "In a way, you can conclude that I have now started reaping the fruits of a hard-earned way. Our eldest son is in the United States, he is working there and another son is on the verge of completing his Engineering degree. I have suggested he look after the farm without going to work anywhere. He has also started taking care of the farm".

Don't expect early money: When inquired about the message of learning from his struggle Sanjeev Kulkarni signed off by saying-"I keep attending the Rotary meetings wherein I make it a point to call upon the youth not expect too big or early money to start with. God has given you age and you need to decide whether to enjoy at an early age and struggle at the latter part or vice versa. So, that is the lesson I have learnt from my life which I have been advocating to the present generation...Struggle, don't deceive anybody and a hundred percent success is for sure and permanent. I had taken Shoorpali professor to Goa in the taxi, long back but they still remember it which is an indication of satisfaction of service. Many people used to call me a driver but I never got annoyed as to what else can a person driving a vehicle be called. I never had any ego then nor now and here, on the farm, I work as a labourer only. Many a time I join them. Work sincerely and God is with you".

-Manohar Yadavatti